This is a picture of a female soldier, Elya Azoulay, in the Caracel brigade arresting several Hamas terrorists in Gaza and leading them to detention. (photo by Shay Yadel ElPorat)
This picture made the rounds a few days ago and I debated posting it and decided not to. Posting it made it feel to me like this is or should be unusual and unique, and I dont think it should be or is.
So why post it now?
Because now it has made an even bigger splash. Initially it went viral as everyone shared it proud of the female soldiers taking part in the war. Since then it has been published by some Haredi publications, including Yated Neeman, while cutting her out of the image. And that makes it more interesting.
While some find it upsetting and disturbing, personally it is not surprising. the Haredi media now have this policy and dont sway from it, even for the most bizarre situations (pictures of hostages, pictures of world leaders, pictures of Rabbaniyot, etc), so it is not surprising they cut this warrior out of the picture. If one does not have unreasonable expectations, they wont be frustrated by such stupidities.
(I wonder if the photographer in these situations, if he cared to, would have a valid case for a lawsuit for doctoring his picture)
Ynet spoke to her mother about this situation and while unpleasant they dont let it bother them. The interesting part of what Proud Mama said is that the world is not just a world of men. It is also a world of women. Women are fighters and I think it is pride to post the picture of a woman as a combat soldier, that she was in the biggest war in the history of Israel. She is fighting for the women who experienced what they experienced on October 7 that were raped and abused. I think she serves with pride to show that women can also fight in battle.
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